CBSE Class 10 English The Book That Saved the Earth Important Questions Set 01

Extract Based Questions

Extract 1

(a). State any one inference about Think-Tank’s stature from the given context.
Noodle calls Think-Tank the ‘most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe’.
Answer: The irony is that Think-Tank is actually the ruler of only Mars and her two moons.

(b). State which of the options from (i) to (iv) encapsulates the real personality of Think-Tank with reference to the given statement or context.
‘THINK-TANK : (peevishly) You left out part of my salutation, Apprentice Noodle. Go over the whole thing again.’ Leaving out a part of the salutation makes Think-Tank peevish. It shows that he ______.
(a) was particular about the formal salutation.
(b) was particular about the protocols.
(c) was an egotist who wanted to be glorified.
(d) was touchy by nature.
Answer: (c) was an egotist who wanted to be glorified.

(c). What was Think-Tank’s opinion about the earthlings? Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
Answer: Think-Tank thought that the earthlings and the earth were ‘ridiculous’, and so he wanted to put them under his ‘generous rulership’. He considered the Earth an insignificant place in the universe and called it a ball of mud.

(d). Which word would correctly substitute ‘rulership’ in the given sentence from the extract?
“I wish to be placed in communication with our manned space probe to that ridiculous little planet we are going to put under our generous rulership.”
Answer: regime

Extract 2

(a). State any one inference about Think-Tank from the given context.
“Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine.”
Answer: Think-Tank suffered from excessive vanity and pride.

(b). State which of the statements from (i) to (iv) has used irony.
(a) “Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?”
(b) “I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch.”
(c) “Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine.”
(d) “I hate a slow mirror.”
Answer: (c) “Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you’ll have a balloon brain just like mine.”

(c). Think-Tank believes that the earth people are far inferior to the Martians. How does he compare both in terms of beauty and brains? Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
Answer: Think-Tank feels that the earth is an unimportant place where ugly earthlings with tiny heads live. He believes the Martians to be a superior, handsome race with large balloon-like heads and bigger brains. He mockingly calls the earth a ‘primitive ball of mud’.

(d). Which word would correctly substitute ‘primitive’ in the given sentence from the extract?
I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch.
Answer: primeval

Extract 3

(a). State any one inference about Oop from the given context.
OOP: I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this.
Answer: Although Oop was well-travelled, he had no idea about books. He was as clueless as the other Martians.

(b). State which of the options from 1 to 4 can be applied with reference to the given question or context: True (T), False (F), Partially true (PT), Not applicable (NA).
Omega says, “Perhaps the Great and Mighty Think-Tank will give us the benefit of his thought on the matter.” Which of the following options gives you the correct assessment of Think-Tank?
1. Think-Tank in reality was great and mighty.
2. Think-Tank had strange ideas about things.
3. Think-Tank was sharp but arrogant.
4. Think-Tank was the epitome of foolishness.
(a) 1 - T, 2 - PT, 3 - F, 4 - NA
(b) 1 - NA, 2 - PT, 3 - F, 4 - T
(c) 3 - T, 1 - F, 2 - PT, 4 - NA
(d) 1 - F, 3 - T, 2 - NA, 4 - PT
Answer: (b) 1 - NA, 2 - PT, 3 - F, 4 - T

(c). Think-Tank seems to know everything. Does he really know everything or is he bluffing? Prove with relevant examples in about 40 words.
Answer: Think-Tank only pretends to know everything; he is bluffing. He calls the problem ‘elementary’ and declares that the library is a refreshment stand and the books are sandwiches. Later he thinks they are a communication device and could even be ‘high explosives’. All his guesses are wrong.

(d). Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘haberdashery’ in the given sentence from the extract?
Say, maybe this is a haberdashery!
Answer: a shop that sells hats and men’s clothing

(e). Why did Omega bow low before Think-Tank?
Answer: Omega bowed low before Think-Tank as a mark of respect and recognition of his supremacy.

(f). Choose the option that associates the person with a haberdashery:
(a) Jagdeep is a primary school teacher who teaches English.
(b) Tanishq is a tailor who makes garments for men only.
(c) Falguni is a chemist who manufactures her own medicine.
(d) Asma is an engineer who works on designing space stations.
Answer: (b) Tanishq is a tailor who makes garments for men only.

(g). Choose the option that explains what Think-Tank meant by saying, ‘Elementary, my dear Omega.’
(a) “It’s simple general knowledge, Omega.”
(b) “It’s something that a primary school person won’t understand, Omega.”
(c) “It’s quite obviously deducible, Omega”
(d) “It’s a little more than complicated, Omega.”
Answer: (c) “It’s quite obviously deducible, Omega”

(h). Earth inhabitants are Earthlings, and those from Mars are Martians. How are the inhabitants of Venus addressed as in most sci-fi stories?
Answer: In many sci-fi stories, the people from Venus are addressed as 'Venusians'.

Extract 4

(a). State any one inference about Iota from the given context.
IOTA : Well, Oop? (Oop coughs. Omega and Iota pound him on the back.)
Answer: Iota was eager to know how the ‘sandwich’ tasted and helped Oop, who was choking on the corner of the book.

(b). State which of the options from 1 to 4 can be applied with reference to the given question or context: True (T), False (F), Partially true (PT), Not applicable (NA).
Why were Omega and Iota pounding Oop on the back?
1. He had a sore throat, that’s why.
2. He was finding it hard to swallow the corner of a book.
3. He didn’t have any water on hand for relief.
4. He was suffering from persistent cough.
(a) 1 - T, 2 - PT, 3 - F, 4 - NA
(b) 1 - NA, 2 - PT, 3 - F, 4 - T
(c) 2 - T, 1 - F, 3 - PT, 4 - NA
(d) 1 - F, 3 - T, 2 - NA, 4 - PT
Answer: (c) 2 - T, 1 - F, 3 - PT, 4 - NA

(c). What are the two interesting facts that readers discover about Mars from the given extract? Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
Answer: (i) Martians don’t have books. The Martian crew thought that the books were actually sandwiches eaten by the earthlings.
(ii) Martian dust is very dry; in fact, the sandwiches were as dry as the dust on Mars and tough to swallow.

(d). Which word would correctly substitute ‘down’ in the given sentence from the extract?
I don’t know how the Earthlings can get those sandwiches down without water.
Answer: swallow

Extract 5

(a). What does Think-Tank's interaction with the mirror reveal about his attitude towards intelligence and appearance? Answer in 30-40 words.
Answer: Think-Tank's interaction with the mirror reflects his extreme arrogance. He seeks confirmation of his intellectual superiority and places high value on physical appearance. His contempt for Earthlings and admiration for Martian aesthetics show a superiority complex rooted in intelligence and appearance.

(b). State whether TRUE or FALSE. Noodle's hopeful response to Think-Tank's comment lends an insight into the rich heritage and culture of the Martian society.
Answer: False

(c). Select the appropriate option to fill the blank. The desire to conquer a "primitive ball of mud" reflects a ______ mindset.
(a) diplomatic
(b) colonial
(c) conciliatory
(d) democratic
Answer: (b) colonial

(d). The playwright's decision to put certain content in brackets serves the purpose of ______. (CBSE Practice Set-2, 2023)
Answer: guiding the performance and production aspects of the play / providing stage directions [intended for the actors, directors, or production team rather than the audience]

(e). State one inference about Think-Tank from the given context: Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?
Answer: Think-Tank is arrogant and vain; he believes himself to be the most intelligent being and needs constant praise.

(f). Choose the option that fits the example of an irony from the ones given below:
(a) “Who is the most fantastically intellectually gifted being in the land?”
(b) “I hate a slow mirror.”
(c) “Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you'll have a balloon brain just like mine.”
(d) “I want to invade that primitive ball of mud called Earth before lunch.”
Answer: (c) “Noodle, you keep on exercising your mind, and someday you'll have a balloon brain just like mine.”

(g). What does Noodle's response to Think-Tank's statement about having a "balloon brain" suggest about his opinion for Think-Tank?
Answer: Noodle’s ‘Oh, I hope so’ is polite flattery. He humours Think-Tank to avoid offending him, but he does not really admire his ‘balloon brain’.

(h). If an actor were to enact this extract, what would he be required to focus on, while modulating his voice?
Answer: He would need to sound pompous, boastful and impatient, using a loud, commanding voice for Think-Tank, and a meek, polite tone for Noodle.

Extract 6

(a). This statement in the above extract has been made by a historian existing in the era of_______.
(a) 20th century
(b) 21st century
(c) 22nd century
(d) 25th century
Answer: (d) 25th century

(b). Why do you think the author tries to project the twentieth century as the era of the book?
(a) Books didn’t exist before that.
(b) Most books were published in the 20th century.
(c) Books in paper form gradually gave way to electronic media after 20th century.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer: (d) Both (b) and (c)

(c). What does the author mean to say by,”from anteaters to Zulus”?
(a) Books were written on Africa.
(b) Books were written on all topics possible for human minds to comprehend.
(c) The books on anteaters and Zulus were most popular.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Books were written on all topics possible for human minds to comprehend.

(d). Which of the following statements can be concluded from the given extract?
(a) Books were the most important medium of learning and information in the 20th century.
(b) Books were the only medium of communication in the 20th century.
(c) Books were the only medium of information in the 20th century.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Books were the most important medium of learning and information in the 20th century.

(e). What is the main theme of the play ‘The book that saved the earth’?
(a) Mars had invaded planet Earth.
(b) The role of a book in saving the earth from Martian invasion.
(c) Narration by a historian.
(d) Tale of a Martian attack on Earth.
Answer: (b) The role of a book in saving the earth from Martian invasion.

Extract 7

(a). _________ means the same as ‘tome’?
(a) Books
(b) Files
(c) Copies
(d) Textbook
Answer: (a) Books

(b). As per the play what are the children taught in the era in which the plot has been set?
(a) Books.
(b) A book that saved the earth from Martian invasion.
(c) Encyclopedia.
(d) A play book.
Answer: (b) A book that saved the earth from Martian invasion.

(c). What does tome mean?
(a) It is a book.
(b) Knowledge.
(c) A voluminous book written in a scholarly manner.
(d) Encyclopedia.
Answer: (c) A voluminous book written in a scholarly manner.

(d). What does the historian do to prove her point about Martian History?
(a) She opens out the pages of the encyclopedia.
(b) She begins to tell the story of the episode.
(c) She says rockets and missiles will prove her point.
(d) She takes the help of a projector like device.
Answer: (d) She takes the help of a projector like device.

(e). According to your reading of this play, name the book that the narrator of the extract is talking about.
(a) Mother Goose
(b) Book on space
(c) Book about Martian
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) Mother Goose

Extract 8

(a). How do you think a nursery rhymes book saved the world from a Martian invasion?
(a) The writings on the book were grossly misinterpreted by the Martians.
(b) The book was horrible to eat.
(c) Martians were scared of books.
(d) The old book was infested with worms which scared the Martians.
Answer: (a) The writings on the book were grossly misinterpreted by the Martians.

(b). Why do you think the playwright has chosen the name ‘Think Tank’?
(a) The playwright couldn’t come up with any other name.
(b) To give a satirical effect to the character who thought highly of his intelligence.
(c) Martians are best described by this name.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) To give a satirical effect to the character who thought highly of his intelligence.

(c). What do you think is the moral of the play from which the extract has been taken?
(a) A stitch in time saves nine.
(b) Do not judge a book by its cover.
(c) Little learning is a dangerous thing.
(d) Planet Earth can be attacked by the aliens again
Answer: (c) Little learning is a dangerous thing.

(d). How could Earth develop friendly relations with Mars?
(a) By invading Mars.
(b) By making calls.
(c) By allowing Martians in to Earth.
(d) By opening diplomatic channels with a wise Mars leadership.
Answer: (d) By opening diplomatic channels with a wise Mars leadership.

(e). Which character in the book Mother Goose scared the Martian leadership?
(a) Mistress Mary
(b) Cat
(c) Humpty Dumpty
(d) Dog
Answer: (c) Humpty Dumpty

Extract 9

(a). Why was Oop unhappy?
Answer: Oop was unhappy because Iota had ordered Oop to take a bite of the book. He was reluctant, but couldn’t refuse the orders of the Lieutenant.

(b). What did Martians assume the book to be?
Answer: Martians had never seen books before that, they did not understand where they are and what the books were. They thought of them to be sandwiches and tried to eat them.

Extract 10

(a). What could have been the recent strategy of the Earthlings?
Answer: Think-Tank realised that the Earthlings may be ahead of technology than the Martians and were capable of various techniques. He says that at that very moment they could be strategising to launch an interplanetary attack on millions of cows.

(b). How did Think-Tank interpret the rhymes?
Answer: Think-Tank thought that the Earthlings had reached a high level of civilisation where they taught their domesticated animals about musical culture and space techniques.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Why was the twentieth century called the ‘Era of the Book’?
Answer: The twentieth century was called ‘the Era of the Book’ because books were very important in people’s lives. They were sources of information on everything from anteaters to Zulus. Books taught people, entertained them and made them happy.

Question 2. Who tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century?
Answer: The Martians tried to invade the earth in the twenty-first century.

Question 3. What guesses are made by Think-Tank about the books found on the earth?
Answer: Think-Tank first guessed that the books were sandwiches which the earthlings loved to eat. He then guessed that they were a communication device used by the earthlings.

Question 4. What does Noodle tell Think-Tank about the books? (Delhi 2016)
Answer: Noodle tells Think-Tank that the ‘sandwiches’ are not for eating but are a means of communication. They are not for ear communication but for eye communication. The Earthlings do not listen to them; they open them and look at them. Noodle then reads out the nursery rhymes from Mother Goose to Think-Tank.

Question 5. What is Think-Tank’s opinion about the Earth?
Answer: Think-Tank, the ruler of Mars, did not have a good opinion of the Earth and its people. He considered the Earth a ridiculous little planet. He thought that it was an insignificant place where ugly earthlings with tiny heads lived.

Question 6. How did Think-Tank interpret the rhymes of the book ‘Mother Goose’?
Answer: Think-Tank was an arrogant fool ruling the planet Mars. After taking vitamins, his crew were able to read the rhymes in the book Mother Goose. He interpreted the rhymes in his own way. He concluded that the people on the Earth were more powerful and more advanced than the Martians.

Question 7. What ‘high levels of civilisation’ have earthlings reached, according to Think-Tank?
Answer: According to Think-Tank, the people of the Earth had made advances in all fields of life and reached ‘high levels of civilisation’. They had taught their domesticated animals musical culture (‘the cat and the fiddle’) and space techniques (‘the cow jumped over the moon’).

Question 8. What was Oop’s opinion about the ‘sandwiches’ he had eaten?
Answer: Oop found a book in the library. He thought it was a sandwich. He was ordered to eat it. He found it tasteless and could not understand how the earthlings could get such things down without water. They were as dry as Martian dust.

Question 9. Which book saved the Earth from Martian invasion and how?
Answer: Mother Goose, a book of nursery rhymes, saved the Earth from the Martian invasion. Think-Tank interpreted the rhymes in his own way and concluded that the earthlings were very advanced and dangerous. He got frightened, called off the invasion and decided to evacuate Mars.

Question 10. Who was Think-Tank? What did he want?
Answer: Think-Tank was the arrogant ruler of Mars. He wanted to expand his kingdom and rule over the Earth, so he decided to invade the Earth. He was over-confident of his abilities.

Question 11. How did Noodle address Think-Tank?
Answer: Think-Tank is the ruler of Mars. Noodle addressed him, ‘O Great and Mighty Think-Tank, Ruler of Mars and her two moons, most powerful and intelligent creature in the whole universe.’

Question 12. Who was Omega? Why did she try to eat the book?
Answer: Omega was the captain of the crew sent by Think-Tank to the Earth. She ordered the book to be eaten because Think-Tank had told her that the books were sandwiches; it was Sergeant Oop who actually took a bite.

Question 13. Why did Think-Tank decide to call the crew back?
Answer: When Think-Tank listened to the nursery rhymes read out by Noodle, he concluded that the people on the Earth were more powerful and advanced. He called his crew back and gave up the idea of invading the planet.

Question 14. Describe briefly how the Martians arrive at the correct application of the book.
Answer: Initially, they misinterpret the book's purpose, mistaking it for a means of communication. However, Noodle suggests that the Earthlings used the book for eye communication instead. Upon taking the intelligence-boosting vitamins, they observe the pictures and hidden messages in the book more attentively.

Question 15. Give any two reasons for Oop's breaking into laughter upon reading the first nursery rhyme.
Answer: Oop broke into laughter while Omega read it because he found it funny. The line in the rhyme Mistress Mary, quite contrary, ‘pretty maids growing in a garden’ made him laugh. He thought about what it would look like to have ‘pretty maids’ growing in gardens.